tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2019364330275165959.post-59296093496628657662007-12-15T08:17:00.000-04:002008-01-12T15:22:07.370-04:002008-01-12T15:22:07.370-04:00<div align="center"><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img height="600" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/cynthiaanelson/Cinnamonsticks.jpg" width="300" /></a><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img height="600" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/cynthiaanelson/Cloves.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />We use them all year round in so many sweet and savoury dishes and countless beverages but at this time of the year, they shine brighter, so roll out the red carpet for the very Christmasy stars of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinnamon">cinnamon</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clove">clove</a>.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.stabroeknews.com/index.pl/article_affairs?id=56535129">This week's column</a> celebrates the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinnamon">cinnamon</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clove">clove</a>. It is not just the flavour they impart that we taste and love, but also the aroma that signals the season, and that holds true not just for us here in the Caribbean. All over the world, screens - both television and computer, are filled with <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mulled_wine">mulled wine</a> and <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/database/hotspicedcider_72957.shtml">hot spiced cider</a> and everyone is talking about how the aroma fills the house and makes it cheerful.<br /><br />Well for us in the Caribbean, beverages such as ginger beer and sorrel are seasonal and we <em>really</em> look forward to them at Christmas. <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinnamon">Cinnamon</a> and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clove">cloves</a> are important in the other foods we make at this time too, such as pepperpot, ham, cakes, etc.<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img height="500" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/cynthiaanelson/Sorrel.jpg" width="350" /></a></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size:85%;color:#990000;"><strong>Sorrel</strong></span></div><div align="center"><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img height="300" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/cynthiaanelson/Sorrel2.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:85%;color:#990000;">De-seeded sorrel</span></strong></div><br />I know that it's cold where some of you are but there is nothing quite as refreshing as a cold glass of spiced-fruity sorrel drink on a hot day. This first picture is my entry for <a href="http://jugalbandi.info/2007/12/click-january-2008-the-theme-is/">CLICK!</a><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img height="550" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/cynthiaanelson/Sorreldrink.jpg" width="525" /></a></div><div align="center"><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img height="450" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/cynthiaanelson/Sorreldrink2.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><br />OR a glass of ginger beer to go with a slice of Christmas cake.<br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"></a></div><p align="center"><a href="http://s178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/cynthiaanelson/?action=view&amp;current=Gingerbeer2.jpg" target="_blank"><img height="550" alt="Photobucket" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/cynthiaanelson/Gingerbeer2.jpg" width="450" /></a></p><p>And how can one forget the other star of the holiday table. Clove-studded and stunning :)<br /><br /></p><div align="center"><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img height="425" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w279/cynthiaanelson/Ham.jpg" width="550" /></a></div><div align="center"><strong><span style="font-size:85%;color:#990000;">Baked ham</span></strong></div><p>For your information, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cassia">Cassia</a> is a member of the cinnamon family but it has a stronger flavour and therefore requires less when using in a recipe. </p><p>Please <a href="mailto:tasteslikehome@gmail.com">email me</a> for any of the recipes seen here.<br /><br />Hey, don't forget to check out <a href="http://www.forgivememynonsense.blogspot.com/">Forgive me my nonsense...</a> where Bee talks about Sammy Gitau. Who is he? <a href="http://www.forgivememynonsense.blogspot.com/">click here for more</a>.<br /><br />Have a great weekend. </p>Cynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01565340772467109199noreply@blogger.com